Ricotta pancakes are special because they are extra soft and fluffy inside.
These are based on Bill Grangers ricotta hotcakes recipe from his bistroBills, a breakfast institution in Sydney.
Time to up your pancake game!
To make pancakes a perfect golden brown like this, wipe the pan clean of melted butter (butter = splotchy surface, like pictured in the step photos and video). Visual difference only!
Ricotta Pancakes
Dont get me wrong I LOVE traditionalpancakes.
Super moist inside with a flavour that is almost a bit cheesecakey.
Even if you dont know youre eating a ricotta pancake, you know its different to normal pancakes!
Which is why theyre a favourite among trendy bistros as a breakfast menu item.
Any Sydney-siders fond of Bill Grangers ricotta hotcakes?
Just make these at home!
Heres a nice close up for you.
With little bits of ricotta curds studded throughout.
Liberally doused with maple syrup.
Standard ricotta, not whipped or spreadable or any other such variation.
TIP:Get one in a basket sealed in vac packs or over the deli counter.
My favourite brand is Paesanella comes in both forms.AvoidPerfect Italiano in tubs (mainstream Australian grocery store brand.)
Its bizarrely powdery and just not pleasant.
Baking powder AND baking soda/bi-carb These make the pancakes rise.
In my classic pancakes, I only use baking powder as thats all thats needed to make them fluffy.
Dont worry if you dont have bi-carb, just use extra baking powder.
The difference is only minor.
Vinegar (or lemon juice) I know this looks weird, but trust me!
Vinegar/acid activates the baking soda to give it a kick start.
We only use 1 teaspoon so it doesnt make the pancakes taste vinegary.
Use any clear vinegar or lemon juice.
Flour Just plain/all-purpose flour.
Sugar Just 3 tablespoons.
We dont want these sweet because we will DOUSE them with maple syrup!!
To make pancakes a perfect golden brown like this, wipe the pan clean of melted butter (butter = splotchy surface, like pictured in the step photos and video). Visual difference only!
Eggs 3 large ones which are 55g/2 ounces each.
No need to bring them to room temperature, fridge cold is fine.
Milk Full fat best, though low fat and non-dairy will work too.
Salt Just a pinch, to bring out the other flavours in the pancakes.
We can do that half asleep.
But you do need to be awake and alert when you cook them!
Aim for 3 minutes on the stove with golden brown surfaces.
It might take a bit of stove adjusting to get it right!
Whisk wet ingredients Whisk the Wet ingredients in a bowl.
Be vigorous to break up the ricotta!
You will end up with little ricotta curd bits all throughout but no clumps of ricotta.
Whisk in dry ingredients Scatter the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt across the surface.
Prevent screen from sleeping
Then whisk just until the flour is incorporated and the batter is lump free.
Its a common mistake!
We just want to use the bare minimum so the pancake doesnt get stuck on the pan.
Its not a big deal, just a visual thing!
I use an ice cream scoop, one of my favourite kitchen tools.
So handy for pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, fritters, meatballs….
It should pretty much spread into an even-round by itself but may need a bit of coaxing.
Dont spread it too thin, we want ricotta pancakes nice and thick!
Cook 3 minutes Cook the first side for 1 1/2 minutes or until golden brown.
The sides and surface should be just about set so the pancake holds its shape when you flip.
Flip, then cook the other side for 1 1/2 minutes until golden.
Adjust the stove heat as needed to ensure they dont brown too fast.
Removepancakes and continue cooking.
Stack the pancakes up so they keep each other warm.
I use 2 pans so it takes me around 12 minutes to cook the whole batch.
Matters of ricotta pancakes
Cooking part done, lets chat serving!
Its also a neat trick to improve under-ripe strawberries when they are out of season, like now.
Making ahead Ricotta Pancakes hold up quite well made ahead too.
Because they are so moist, they dont suffer as much as ordinary pancakes which become stale relatively quickly.
Whereas reheated ricotta pancakes are pretty similar to freshly made!
So this weekend, why not stay in for brunch?
Flop around in your daggy slippers, stay in your PJs, no need to comb your hair.
The coffee refills are free and nothing nothing beats a good homemade meal!
Republished May 2023 with improved recipe, brand spanking new photos and a video added!
A stray strawberry and a huge hunk of pancake may have fallen his way…..
